Lentz ARTcards - Quotes by famous people scribed on painted canvas mounted to card, created by Lisa Bisbee Lentz to inspire the next generation of artists in New Bern, North Carolina.

See the hand-made Lentz ARTcards at Greater Good Gallery.

"Find your inspiration! These miniature paintings on canvas mounted to board are quotes by people who have inspired me over the years to continue on being creative. I didn't say them first, but I am repeating the sayings. When I look at the quotes, I muster the spirit of creativity and keep on filling up blank little canvas. I call them Lentz ARTcards and sell them at the Greater Good Gallery." - Lisa Bisbee Lentz

The exhibit at 320 S Front Street in New Bern hangs for summertime 2012. Artists include:

Lee Hoodhttp://leehoodgallery.comPaints and sketches Portraits, Urban scenes, Spiritual, Military, and New Bern Streetscapes. Hood does commissions and uses high-tech magnification lens to sketch the finest details in his portraits. He is also providing art-anatomy classes for beginning and advanced artists. leeart61@yahoo.com

James Herring A stong background in architecture, Herring regularly paints en plein air on Saturday mornings in front of Carolina Creations. He also attends Bohemian Night in New Bern at Michaele' Rose Watson's Studio413B located behind the Bank of the Arts.james.g.herring@gmail.com

Curt WrightWell known for his oil paintings of historic scenes of the colorful New York State Finger Lakes, boating, landscapes and wine country themes. Recent cruising along the Carolinas scenic waterways has provided resources for new paintings added to this site.http://www.5starartprints.cominfor@5starartprints.com

Blaine KrugerBlaine has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of marketing, advertising and graphic design. He has worked on both sides of the fence as a corporate marketing manager as well as senior art director in several advertising agencies. Currently his works are displayed at MJs Raw Bar ( http://www.mjsrawbar.com )http://blainekruger.com/blainekruger@sbcglobal.net

Bridgette SwayneBridgette offers photography sessions for Senior Portraits, Wedding Albums, and artistic landscapes. Bridgette currently works as a graphic designer at the Graphic Shack ( www.thegraphicsshack.com ) in New Bern, NC. Bridgette participated in community service art projects such as Empty Bowls, raising $20,000 to fight hunger in Craven County; and painted a chair for auction in the annual Habitat for Humanity fundraiser. Her works are regularly exhibited during Bohemian Night at Studio 413B. http://www.thegraphicsshack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/BelievePhotosBridgetteAnne@rocketmail.com

Michaelé Rose Watsonhttp://www.michaelerose.comWatson is a conceptual artist with a studio in New Bern, NC. Her works about how humans change Nature. She states, "I take objects of Nature apart and rebuild her forms to better serve human needs." In September 2012, she will be setting up an ART Installation at New Bern Artworks - One Thousand Eggs. Watson is active in community service programs building art opportunities for many people to enjoy and benefitting deserving non-profit organizations. Recently Charlie Hall stated in the Sun Journal that Bohemian Night in New Bern has become the new "hot spot". Join the fun each Artwalk.http://www.michaelerose.com/events--projects.htmlmichaelerosewatson@gmail.com

Gail BisbeeGail’s interest in photography is enhanced by the ability to travel the world. Gail has a keen eye for color and composition and the ability to capture images that hold your interest while lending themselves to use in decoration much as you would use a painting. http://www.gailbisbee.comgbisbee@crmi-online.com

Dillon GunnGunn is an actor in New Bern, performing at New Bern Civic Theatre and Craven Community College. Gunn paints on a regular basis creating fun abstract works of art with bold geometrics and dynamic compositions. Gunn also provides publicity video/photos and paints during Bohemian Night at Studio 413B.

On Saturday, Michaelé Rose Watson and Blaine Kruger embellished the walls at MJs with brightly vivid colored canvases painted by Blaine Kruger. Lisa says,"With all the different sizes and colors, we could build consistency by aligning the top edge of the artworks and space each out evenly."

Hanging a show is harder than it looks. Moving the pieces little to the left and then a little to the right, Lisa is grateful that Mike Lentz, owner of MJs Raw Bar, invested into a professional hanging system. The system is wired along the ceiling and dangles a hanging clip which slides as the composition of the wall unfolds.

Later Saturday afternoon, Lisa Bisbee meets up with a group of artists at The Next Chapter Bookstore to hang a group show for summertime 2012. Big thanks to Patti & Tom Reeves for providing local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents. More about this group exhibit to come in the next blog post.

Lisa Bisbee hangs her new en plein air acrylic painting of the Bank of the Arts at the Next Chapter Bookstore in New Bern. Photo by Michaelé Rose Watson.

Lisa Bisbee hangs artwork by Dillon Gunn at the Next Chapter Bookstore in New Bern. Photo by Michaelé Rose Watson.

Bohem, Bank, Books & Cards

Blaine Kruger and John Watson at Bohemian Night at the 413B Studio of Michaele' Rose Watson.

Blaine began his creative career up north and brought his talents of art and design to New Bern several years ago. Blaine's work was accepted into the Bank of the Arts Annual Juried Show several times.

Blaine exhibited during previous Bohemian Nights in New Bern at Michaele Rose Watson's Studio 413B and will be in attendance July 13th, 2012 to enjoy the company of artists and performers from 5pm to 9pm.

In a group show for Summer 2012, Blaine's work is also being exhibited in a group show at the Next Chapter Bookstore in New Bern. Visit 320 S Front St., to see the artworks of Curt Wright, Michaele' Rose Watson, James Herring, Lee Hood, Dillon Gunn, Bridget Swayne, Gail Bisbee and Lisa Bisbee.

Blaine says, "As a new resident to the area and surrounded by such a rich history, I began learning about the New Bern. My reading led me to create a novel item showcasing New Bern’s heritage, 'New Bern A to Z – Well Known, Little Known and Just Plain Interesting Facts.' " To purchase Blaine's unique New Bern souvenir, please visit The Vault, a unique giftstore in the Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle Street.

The walls are adorned with rich colors and textures representing sea creature and environments, shells, octopus, jellyfish on thick-depthed box structures. An oversized canvas hovers near the entrance with deep reds and burnt oranges showing space as shadowed layers and folded illusion.

Watson says about her artwork, "I continue to work in mixed media but now from a conceptual point of view. My ideas and forms are influenced by how we as humans interact with Nature. All the choices we make affect everything and everyone around us. My work helps to remind us of the choices and responsibilities we must consider."

Sneak a preview some of the 1000 egg elements during Bohemian Night on July 13, 2012 at Michaele Rose Watson's studio 413B behind the Bank of the Arts in New Bern, North Carolina.

Check out New Bern Artworks on Pollock Street at Studio 323 in New Bern during the autumn of 2012 for an awesome piece of history. One-thousand Eggs by Michaelé Rose Watson. Her conceptual artwork installation will be on display for all to count ... 997, 998, 999... 1000!

Autumn 2012: Dominican Republic Mural Project: In late October and early November 2012, community participation opportunities are available to work with large mural artists, Hector Blanco and others from the Dominican Republic. Duke University Exchange program, sponsored by The Craven Arts Council, The Consortium in Latin American & Caribbean Stuies at UNC Chapel Hill & Duke University. For info, email michaelerose@gmail.com

For more info, email michaelerose@gmail.com or please visit:http://www.michaelerose.comhttps://www.facebook.com/BohemianNewBernhttp://www.mjsrawbar.comhttp://www.newbernartworks.comhttp://www.cravenarts.org

See more original artwork by Lisa Bisbee Lentz at Greater Good Gallery, 228 Craven Street, New Bern, North Carolina.

En plain Air in New Bern, North Carolina. Some days it rains and Lisa sits under the cover of the Baxter doorway with easel and canvas. The Rainy Day Painting scene captures the streetscape starting with the Town Hall on the right, panning left to the Episcopal Church, Baxter Clock, The Old Elks Lodge Building and the Studio 323 Sign. Even though the scene is captured on rainy days with grey drizzling skies, Lisa paints blue in hopes of sunshine.